Filed under: Concept Cars, SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, HUMMER, Military, Special/Limited Editions
AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?
It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.
We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.
[Source: Hummer Guy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jon Barrett 7:13PM (7/14/2008)
Somehow I don't think I'd be able to watch "Cash Cab" anymore if they changed to this.
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Kingus 7:22PM (7/14/2008)
I'll take the Aztek...
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stealth 7:29PM (7/14/2008)
wicked ugly
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car doctor 7:45PM (7/14/2008)
This must be a joke. We've been evolving automobile design for over 100 years and than this... how can this be explained? And how can we prevent something like this from ever happening again. Are there any designers out there willing to do some pro bono work. Improving the appearance of this thing surely qualifies as charitable work that benefits everyone that has to look at it. I really feel sorry for the poor suckers who will have to build this thing and look at it everyday! Well at least it's a job...
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Jared 8:07PM (7/14/2008)
I believe that the goal of the design is not beauty, but maximum interior room, ease of entry and exit, low cost of manufacture, and easy body repair. It really doesn't matter how pretty it is, but rather how good of a taxi it is.
The problem here in MA is that most taxi companies buy used police cars for $7,000 and rent them to the drivers. They won't shell out the dollars for a new car, even if it would be more efficient in the long run.
car doctor 8:17PM (7/14/2008)
If this were a tank or armored car, I'd agree with you. But this thing is something that everyone will have to look at so they could at least make try just a little. Besides, it's a myth that good design has to cost more. It does take a little more effort though...
CarlosMC 6:18AM (7/15/2008)
this reminds me of the foldable paper cars I used to build as a kid :)
CarlosMC 6:25AM (7/15/2008)
Ok, actually, those were more proportiate than this.
What are those, go-kart wheels? Or is that mrap armour, just in case they want to export it to Iraq or Afghanistan?
CarlosMC 6:29AM (7/15/2008)
Ok, actually, those were more proportiate than this.
What are those, go-kart wheels? Or is it mrap armoured, just in case they want to export it to Iraq or Afghanistan?
CarlosMC 6:36AM (7/15/2008)
Sorry, can't resist:
Can they spell 'Ugly Duckling'?
=)
Rocketboy 9:48AM (7/15/2008)
Jarad... "I believe that the goal of the design is not beauty, but maximum interior room, ease of entry and exit, low cost of manufacture, and easy body repair. It really doesn't matter how pretty it is, but rather how good of a taxi it is."
Ya, because London Taxis have none of the above qualities...
Oh wait.
r129 7:48PM (7/14/2008)
I didn't know they were offering a Ford Flex taxi package.
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SeattleJeremy 7:50PM (7/14/2008)
I thought GM discontented the 4.3L V6/4speed auto, but it looks like they still offer it in the Chevrolet G1500 Cargo Van.
I know it’d cheap (upfront and to fix) and easy work on, but really they should invest in something a little more efficient, maybe the 5 cylinder from the Colorado? Or the 3.6L V6?
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rocky88 7:50PM (7/14/2008)
wtf...are we going back to the 80's again???
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jjpg2000 7:50PM (7/14/2008)
The flex looks way better than this thing.
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Tater 7:57PM (7/14/2008)
Hey, don't be too critical.
It was designed and modeled by a 4 year old with a set of Legos. YOU try making those headlights out of Legos!
Craig 7:35AM (7/15/2008)
Lego dammit. Saying Legos is retarded, just like saying dices.
climb.trad 7:52PM (7/14/2008)
Come on this is joke right? Looks like a Lego car or something from Tata motors.
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ZetoSanNi 7:56PM (7/14/2008)
Looks like a Scion xB if you squint your eyes enough..
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WOB-379 8:30PM (7/14/2008)
HA!
I said Scion Taxi when I first saw it.